MARGAO
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho was the cynosure of all eyes at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Tuesday, as he went on to strongly bat for the BJP and sought to silence the criticism against the government, sending clear indications that the Congressman-turned-BJP leader is anxious to reach out to all regions and sections, including the BJP support base.
During his long address to the South Zilla members, Mauvin did not restrict himself to his home constituency Dabolim or the Dabolim airport, but took the platform to make a strong case for both Dabolim and Mopa.
He did not stop there. The Panchayat Minister touched upon many an issue concerning his department, but also dwelt at length on issues plaguing the State, right from mining to formalin and unemployment, Mopa and Dabolim, besides development, and not to mention the health issues concerning the Chief Minister, giving clear signals that he does not want to confine himself to Dabolim or panchayat affairs.
“People here in Salcete had launched a big agitation opposing Mopa. But, I have been consistent in my stand that we need both Mopa and Dabolim. We have to think about the rest of Goa as well. Mopa will usher in development with seven starred hotels and Disney land proposed in the airport vicinity,” he said, adding “tourism has been our mainstay. We have to create more jobs. Our youth are going abroad for want of jobs”.
Taking cognizance of the fact Margao was the epicentre of the formalin-in-fish row, Mauvin sought to allay people’s fears, but also took potshots at the opponents for politicising the issue. “This practice must have been going on, but it was never detected. It is our government that detected formalin,” he said, while trying to allay fears by saying the Rs 15 crore state-of-the-art lab will soon take shape in the city.
On the development front, Mauvin said the BJP is committed. “Aren’t the second Zuari bridge with two viewing towers and the third Mandovi bridge not development?” he questioned.
And, he added: “I am not ready to accept there is no development. Some people think that our performance has been not up to their expectations because the CM is down with illness, but I want to say that development has not come to a standstill,”
Mauvin, who rushed to the Dabolim to catch a flight to Delhi, remarked. “I feel it is a privilege to represent the government in Delhi, whether at the GST meeting or to receive the India Today award for the State”.
